Observation

6th graders versus 2nd graders! Just by observing the two different age groups for only a few hours you can really see the differences in physical, social, cognitive and moral development. However, with the differences you can also see the similarities.

Walk into a classroom full of 6th grades after being in a class of 2nd graders and you will automatically notice physical differences between the two age groups. The older of the two are obviously quite a bit bigger in height and weight than your average 2nd grader. Another obvious difference is the onset of puberty in the 6th grade girls. Unlike the girls, the boys in this age range have yet to hit puberty. When observing the two different ages in P.E. you can see that 2nd graders coordination is at times still lacking, while the 6th graders are able to do quite a bit more complex movements. However, the 2nd graders are still full of steam at the end of P. E. and would even be willing to go outside and run at recess. 6th graders on the other hand tend to look a bit wore out. Similarities in physical development between these two ages would be in their ability to use small muscles for things such as writing and drawing.

With the obvious onset of puberty in the 6th grade girls, the boys have took notice, causing a continuous talk about who is “going out” with whom. Social development for the 2nd grader is quite different than that of a 6th grader. Second graders for the most part think of the opposite sex as more of someone who messes up your Magnetics at indoor recess. As far as the opposite sex and kissing, the second grader would not dare have that kids cuddies on their lips. Gross! 6th graders don’t strive for the approval of their teacher like 2nd graders do. The 6th grader rather, strives for the approval of their peers. Similarities between these two groups of children lie in the need to be with each other versus spending time alone.

Cognitive development between these two age ranges is similar in the ability to understand conservation. Both a 2nd grader and a 6th grader is able to understand that properties such as mass and volume stay the same even if the form of the object changes. Both can organize their thoughts and then express them in words.